Doin time lyrics by Lana Del Rey

“Doin’ Time” by Lana Del Rey is a dreamy reinterpretation of Sublime’s original song, infused with her signature cinematic and melancholic style.The lyrics explore themes of toxic love, emotional confinement, and longing, reflecting a relationship that feels both intoxicating and imprisoning.

Lana’s soft, sultry vocals add a sense of nostalgia and emotional depth, making the song feel hazy and reflective.The imagery in the lyrics blends romance with sadness, capturing the feeling of being stuck in a love that hurts yet still pulls you in.

 Song credits

Credit Category	Name	Role
Artist / Vocalist	Lana Del Rey	Lead vocals on this cover version
Songwriters / Composers	Bradley James Nowell	Original songwriter (Sublime)
	Marshall Raymond Goodman	Original songwriter
	Rick Rubin	Original songwriter
	Adam Keefe Horovitz (Ad-Rock)	Original songwriter
	Adam Nathaniel Yauch	Original songwriter
	Ira Gershwin	Composer (from Summertime)
	George Gershwin	Composer (from Summertime)
	DuBose Heyward	Composer (from Summertime)
	Dorothy Heyward	Composer (from Summertime)
Producers	Andrew Watt	Production, instrumentation, programming, mixing
	Happy Perez	Co-producer
Engineering / Mixing	Paul LaMalfa	Engineer, recording, mixing
Mastering	Dave Kutch	Mastering engineer
Musicians	Eric Wilson	Bass guitar
	Josh Freese	Drums
	Bud Gaugh	Drums
	Gayle Levant	Harp

Doin time lyrics

Verse 1

Summertime and the living’s easy

Bradley’s on the microphone with Ras MG

All the people in the dance will agree

That we’re well-qualified to represent the L.B.C.

Me, me and Louie, we gonna run to the party

And dance to the rhythm, it gets harder

Me and my girl, we got this relationship

I love her so bad, but she treats me like-

On lockdown, like a penitentiary

She spreads her lovin’ all over

And when she gets home, there’s none left for me

Summertime and the living’s easy

Bradley’s on the microphone with Ras MG

Verse 2

All the people in the dance will agree

That we’re well-qualified to represent the L.B.C.

Me, me and Louie, we gonna run to the party

And dance to the rhythm, it gets harder

(Harder, yeah, harder, yeah)

Oh, take this veil from off my eyes

My burning sun will some day rise

So what am I gonna be doin’ for a while?

Said I’m gonna play with myself

Show them how we come off the shelf

Verse 3

Summertime and the living’s easy

Bradley’s on the microphone with Ras MG

All the people in the dance will agree

That we’re well-qualified to represent the L.B.C.

Me, me and Louie, we gonna run to the party

And dance to the rhythm, it gets harder

(Harder, yeah, harder, yeah)

Verse 4

Evil, we’ve come to tell you that she’s evil, most definitely

Evil, ornery, scandalous and evil, most definitely

The tension, it’s getting hotter

I’d like to hold her head underwater

(Summertime)

(Ah, ah, ah)

Summertime and the living’s easy

Bradley’s on the microphone with Ras MG

All the people in the dance will agree

That we’re well-qualified to represent the L.B.C.

Me, me and Louie, we gonna run to the party

And dance to the rhythm, it gets harder

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “Doin’ Time” by Lana Del Rey an original song?

 No, it is a cover of Sublime’s 1996 hit “Doin’ Time,” reimagined with Lana Del Rey’s signature dreamy and melancholic tone.

What do the lyrics of “Doin’ Time” talk about?

 The lyrics focus on a toxic and emotionally draining relationship, where love feels confining, obsessive, and difficult to escape.

Why does Lana Del Rey’s version feel darker than the original?

 Lana’s soft vocals, slower pacing, and atmospheric production give the song a more introspective and moody feel compared to Sublime’s relaxed, reggae-inspired style.

Which album features Lana Del Rey’s “Doin’ Time”?

 The song appears on her 2019 album Norman F**ing Rockwell!*.

What is the emotional tone of the lyrics?

 The lyrics carry a mix of longing, sadness, and emotional tension, reflecting love that is intense but unhealthy.

Final Words  

“Doin’ Time” captures the feeling of being emotionally trapped in a love that is both seductive and painful.The lyrics reflect obsession, longing, and the quiet sadness of staying in a toxic relationship. Lana Del Rey’s gentle voice adds a dreamy layer that makes the emotions feel even more intense.

Overall, the song turns a familiar story into something deeply personal and cinematic.
Its lyrics linger in the mind, echoing themes of desire and emotional confinement.
“Doin’ Time” stands as a powerful example of Lana Del Rey’s ability to make pain sound beautiful.